Rolls-Royce has reached a major milestone in the expansion of its Raynesway manufacturing site in Derby, beginning construction on a new production facility that will more than double manufacturing capacity to support UK and Australian submarine programmes while creating more than 1,100 skilled jobs.
Rolls-Royce Submarines has started foundational work on a new manufacturing facility at its Raynesway site in Derby, marking the next phase of a major expansion programme designed to increase production capacity for current and future submarine reactor programmes.
The wider development will more than double the size of the manufacturing site, adding more than 100,000 sqm of manufacturing and office space while creating 1,170 skilled roles across manufacturing, engineering and other technical disciplines.
Ground has now been broken on the new manufacturing facility, with the ceremonial event attended by Lord Coaker, Abi Clayton and Commodore Alistair Moody.
The expansion is intended to increase manufacturing output to meet growing demand from the UK Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy while supporting current and future submarine programmes.
Originally announced in June 2023, the project will significantly increase production capacity at the Raynesway site, where the company designs and manufactures the nuclear reactors that power the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. Under the AUKUS partnership, the facility will also produce reactors for Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS submarines.
According to the company, the expansion will create additional manufacturing capacity to improve production throughput across submarine reactor programmes.
“Breaking ground is a significant step forward in the critical growth of our business. This expansion will more than double the size of our manufacturing facility, strengthening our capability and demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
“Together with our trusted delivery partners, our commitment is to deliver this programme safely, efficiently and to the highest standards. This work will unlock much-needed manufacturing capacity on site, allowing us to enhance our delivery drumbeat to support the boat build programmes,” said Abi Clayton, President of Rolls-Royce Submarines.
During the visit, Lord Coaker met Rolls-Royce nuclear welding apprentices who secured first, second, third and fourth place in the SkillWeld 26 East Midlands heats, marking the first time one company has taken the top three positions in the competition.
SkillWeld is a national competition that benchmarks the capabilities of trainee and apprentice welders. The visit also highlighted apprentice Jack Billingham’s selection to represent Great Britain at the WorldSkills competition in Japan.
The expansion programme will create 1,170 skilled positions across manufacturing, engineering and related disciplines, supporting long-term workforce growth alongside increased production capacity.
Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 5,500 people and designs, manufactures and provides in-service support for the pressurised water reactors used across the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
The company is currently supporting both the Astute and Dreadnought submarine programmes through the delivery of reactor plants and associated components, while also providing operational support for reactor plant equipment from its Derby operations centre.
“The expansion of the Rolls-Royce site is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
“Witnessing the manufacturing of the fifth SSN-AUKUS reactor and the hundreds of apprentices in action was inspiring – seeing defence investment creating jobs, driving growth, and keeping the UK safe,” said Lord Coaker, UK Minister of State for Defence.
The Raynesway expansion forms part of a wider programme to increase manufacturing capability in support of long-term submarine construction programmes.
“The ongoing expansion work at Raynesway demonstrates the shared commitment of the UK and Australian governments to meet the ambitious pace of our submarine build programmes. Together, we are building the foundations for delivery to defend our nations for decades to come.
“The significant nuclear enterprise investment confirmed in the DIP reflects the UK’s unwavering commitment to maintaining and renewing our nuclear deterrent, a capability that has protected the UK and our allies for almost 60 years. Delivering this work is a National Endeavour and continues to drive growth, strengthen security and sustain tens-of-thousands of jobs across the UK,” said Commodore Alistair Moody, Director for Nuclear Propulsion at the Submarine Delivery Group.
Once completed, the expanded Raynesway site will provide additional manufacturing and engineering capacity to support the production of nuclear reactors for UK and Australian submarine programmes while strengthening Rolls-Royce’s long-term manufacturing capability in Derby.
